Also Luigi - you choice to focus on Rangel and Velazquez numbers is interesting and while I agree with you, it does fail to acknowledge the other 38 members of the Congressional Black Caucus and their numbers.
You can talk diversity till you're blue in the face.
Reality check is to walk into any normal high school and check out who is taking the higher level math, science and english classes (it's the kids on this board).
In many parts of the country females are the majority, males the minority and even fewer 'minorities,' in classes like AP English, History, Math and Science.
Problem today is to get ANY high school student motivated to both serve in the military and take the tough courses, many just want to skate through high school.
The motivating factor for any child to seek success is ultimately family, friends and mentors. Period. IMHO the nomination process only serves as another group making face to face contact with a candidate.
This board reflects those who desire to succeed and serve.
When will this commence? I thought they were already doing this."We appreciate the support and the oversight," Papp said. "I think we need to do the work on our side to get out into those communities where we can get those diverse candidates, so we can drop down any barriers for entry to the Coast Guard Academy and increase the diversity of our service."
Papp says admissions process not hindering diversity at CGA
By Jennifer Grogan
Publication: The Day
Published 03/19/2010 12:00 AM
Vice Adm. Robert J. Papp Jr. told a Senate committee Thursday that the student body at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy needs to be more diverse, but changing the school's admissions process is not the way to do it.
Papp was asked about the academy by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation during his nomination hearing to be the next commandant of the Coast Guard. He was also asked to comment on proposed cuts to the Coast Guard's budget, shipbuilding and acquisition reform as well as more provincial topics affecting senators' home states.
The competitive admissions process has brought "good candidates into our academy for many, many years with the absence of congressional appointments," Papp said, but "we have had difficulty moving the needle on increasing our diversity at the Coast Guard Academy."
The other military service academies admit students by congressional nomination while the Coast Guard Academy has traditionally admitted students on the basis of academic merit, like civilian colleges and universities. Members of Congress have proposed bringing the process in line with the other service academies.
"We appreciate the support and the oversight," Papp said. "I think we need to do the work on our side to get out into those communities where we can get those diverse candidates, so we can drop down any barriers for entry to the Coast Guard Academy and increase the diversity of our service."
The current senior class at the academy is 23 percent female and 19 percent minority, followed by the junior class at 30 percent female and 16.4 percent minority, the sophomore class at 28.5 percent female and 12 percent minority and the freshman class at 29 percent female and 15.6 percent minority....
(Read the rest of the article HERE)
When will this commence? I thought they were already doing this.
I don't like this either. However, I don't like the fact that young men and women can go to an SA. Then after two years, if they don't like it, just basically just can walk away, no commitment, no nothing. As a taxpayer, we should get something in return. Like paying the money back or enlisting after two years, instead of walking away. I will be in touch my congressional delegation.
RGK
There is a finite number of racks (beds) in Chase Hall. While a certain number may be approved, it does not mean the rack space will be there. There are a number of other factors, I'm sure someone from admissions can speak to.
Ah hah! I misunderstood! Nice round numbers eh?
Papp says admissions process not hindering diversity at CGA
By Jennifer Grogan
Publication: The Day
Published 03/19/2010 12:00 AM
Vice Adm. Robert J. Papp Jr. told a Senate committee Thursday that the student body at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy needs to be more diverse, but changing the school's admissions process is not the way to do it.
...
290 entered last year (2013), 295 the year before that (2012).
Admissions wouldn't have asked for 290 if they couldn't house them.
307 entered with the Class of 2009
^^^
This was the graduating Class of 2009 that reported in back in 2005. 307 accepted appointments, except I do seem to remember that one didn't show up or left before being sworn in and they lost quite a few during Swab Summer.